March 10--Pittsburgh firefighters battled a three-alarm fire in a set of rowhouses on the North Side this morning.
The roof on one house, which was boarded up and for sale, collapsed about 10:30 a.m., prompting rescues crews to assist firefighters. Officials said nobody was injured in the fire or collapse of the building on the 600 block of Tripoli Street. Smoke, flames or water damaged several adjacent homes.
Firefighters said the American Red Cross would provide housing for up to six people. Aside from the destroyed townhouse, one other townhouse damaged in the fire was vacant and up for sale.
Neighbors and passers-by reported the fire to 911 about 10:15; firefighters doused most of the flames within 90 minutes.
Lucille Brown, who lives in one of the damaged rowhouses, cried as she watched flames and smoke billow into the air.
"I have two Bibles in there, and I know God won't let them burn. I know I'll be pretty good," said Brown, 57.